Goal-post.



Patented May I, |900.

E. MANLEY; GOAL PDST. applic-mon med im. 12, 1900.)

(No Model.)

Mnesses man me Nonms PETERS no. Moro-mma.. wAsNmmuu. u. c.

`NITIID STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD MANLEY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GOAL-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,512, dated May 1, 1900. Application filed February 12, 1900. Serial No. 4,948. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD MANLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,- have invented a new and useful Goal-Post for the Game of Intercollegiate or Rugby Foot- Ball, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to goal-posts for the game of foot-ball now commonly played between university, college, andV other teams.

The objectof my invention is to so suspend the goal-bar proper in its position with reference to the field of play required by the rules of the game that it and its support will interfere as little as possible with the movements of the players, and consequently reduce,if not entirely remove,the danger of injury to them.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved goal-postin its preferred form. Fig. 2 is a front elevation looking at the construction shown in Fig. l from the eld of play. Fig. 3 isa modified form of the construction shown in Fig. l, showing Vtwo supports instead of one. Fig. 4 is another modified construction, in which the support is at one side, but in the plane of the goalposts. Fig. 5 is another modification, in which a single post in the center of the goal-bar and in its plane is used.

The game of foot-ball is played upon alarge oblong playing-field (usually marked off by chalk-lines) having on or adjacent to each rear line the goal-post,l which has always heretofore been constructed in the form of an H of two upright posts set in the ground with a horizontal cross-bar nailedV or otherwise secured thereto at a height somewhat higher thanV the heads of the players. By the rules of the game one team of players are required to kick, carry, or shovethe ball across the goal or rear line of the playing-field on which the goal-posts above mentioned stand and after having done so to withdraw toward the center of the field and kick the ball over the goal-bar and between the `upright posts, (or their axes produced.) The attempt to shove or carry the ball over theline is resisted with all possible energy by the opposing team. It will readily be seen that when the two teams (usually each consisting of eleven players) are engaged in this contest of trying to shove the ball, and consequently each other, over the goal-line and the ball is near the goal-posts there is great danger of one or more players being crowded against the goal-post and injured. There is also the difficulty that because of fear of such an accident the defending player will not be able to do his best. The especial object of my invention is to reduce these objections to a minimum by reducing the number of supports for the goal-bar from two to one, and preferably by placing the support for the bar at some distance outside the goal or rear line of the field of play proper or by doing both, as is shown in Fig. l, the preferred form of construction.)

In thedrawings, a represents a post or upright set in the ground at asuflicient distance back of the goal-line b b, (which is the line at the rear of the field of play over which the ball must be carried, as heretofore described.) The post is so set that the players may work with the ball on and over the line without danger of coming in contact with the post. c is4 an arm extending from this post a and carrying at its end the goal-pole d, which has at its ends the vertical uprights e. The space Aabove the bar or pole d and between the uprights e (or their axes produced) constitutes what is technically known as the goal and is held in a vertical plane directly above the goal-line b b, as shown.

Various Inaterials may be used and the forms of bracing the various parts may be varied without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A goal-pole, consisting of a horizontal pole with substantially-vertical uprights rising from its ends, for the game of foot-ball so supported at the required height above the goal-line that there are substantially no 0bstructions to the movements of the players on and over the goal-line. Y

2. A goal for the game of foot-ball, consisting of a horizontal goal bar or pole supported at aV single point and having substantiallyvertical uprights rising from its ends.V

3. In a goal for the game of foot-ball, the combination of a support rising from the ground at a point back of the goal-line, and a goal pole or bar, with substantially-vertical IOO r Y Y v 648,512

uprights rising from its ends, so'seoured thereto that said goal-pole is held over the goal-line at the height required by the rules of the game. n Y

4. In a goal for the game of foot-ball, the

combination of an upright support rising. from.

the ground at a point back of the goal-line, an arm extending from said support toward the plane of the goal-line and a goal bar orf pole so seeured to said arm as to lie in the plane of said goal-line at the height required""` by the rules of the garner 5. In a goal for the gameof foot-ball, the

combination of an upright support rising from the ground at a point back of the goal-line,

lin'e Without coming in Contact with the goalpole or its support, substantially as described.

EDWARD MANLEY.

Witnesses:Y A .n

CHARLES L. HINE,

DWIGHT B. CHEEVER. 

